As you shop for mental health care, the options available can be overwhelming. Counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists—what type of mental health professional should you see? Whether you are new to mental health care, getting back into it, or searching for a new provider, knowing the distinction between practitioners makes all the difference in the world. Many people don’t know the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist, if they know there is one. While both psychiatrists and psychologists can diagnose and treat mental health disorders, these professions differ slightly in how they approach the practice and the treatment options they can offer. Learning the difference between these mental health providers can help you make a more informed decision about who you see and why.
Mental health care definitions
Before diving into the similarities and differences between therapists and psychologists, some context is needed to understand who these providers are and what they do. Both therapists and psychologists are considered mental health care providers. Mental health care, as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), is “a category of health care service and delivery provided by several fields involved in psychological assessment and intervention (psychology, psychiatry, neurology, social work, etc.). This type of care includes but is not limited to psychological screening and testing, psychotherapy and family therapy, and neuropsychological rehabilitation.”
Therapists and psychologists are health care professionals trained to provide this type of service.
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines a psychiatrist as “a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and study of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders.”
The APA defines a psychologist as “an individual who is professionally trained in one or more branches or subfields of psychology.”
Psychology is defined as “the study of the mind and behavior.”
Similarities between psychologists and psychiatrists
Psychiatrists and psychologists both study human behavior and emotions. These practices offer treatment options and interventions to help patients identify and address various mental health conditions and concerns.
Both psychologists and psychiatrists have advanced training and clinical experience to provide mental health services. Psychologists and psychiatrists have completed several thousand hours of clinical training in a supervised residency. Before this, candidates must go through graduate school and a doctoral program comprising related coursework.
The number of training hours required for licensure and the specific exams a practitioner must pass vary from state to state. Some states even allow broad exceptions to these requisites. However, once these criteria are met, practitioners start clinical work in an internship or supervised residency program.
In sum, both psychiatrists and psychologists must:
- Obtain a Master’s degree and Doctorate
- Undergo a specified number of training hours
- Pass a nationally recognized licensing exam
What is a psychologist?
Psychologists function as scientist-practitioners, delving into exploring, investigating, and evaluating human behaviors and cognitive patterns. The educational distinction stands as the critical difference between psychologists and psychiatrists. Specifically, a licensed psychologist can be a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), while psychiatrists must undergo medical training. It's noteworthy that psychologists are only sometimes engaged in individual patient care. Instead, their roles can vary from exclusive research endeavors to structured examinations of group dynamics within workplace or educational contexts. However, it's essential to recognize that psychologists engage in therapeutic practices. Many of them provide psychotherapy services either in private practice settings or in hospital environments.
In the context of therapy, psychologists employ a range of assessments and tests to diagnose conditions related to mental, behavioral, or emotional well-being. Collaborating with patients, a clinical psychologist delves into the underlying causes of their concerns, furnishing them with treatment recommendations grounded in expertise. While psychologists lack the authority to prescribe medication, they can offer patients referrals to specialists who can. Moreover, psychologists can pursue advanced education and clinical training, allowing them to specialize in distinct branches of psychology.
Branches of specialization include:
- Clinical Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Workplace Psychology
- Sports Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Geriatric Psychology
- Pediatric Psychology
- Family Psychology
- Community Psychology
- Military Psychology
This is only a partial list of all sub-fields related to psychology. Psychologists may also teach, write, or work in other sectors (like the legal system).
What is a psychiatrist?
Psychiatrists, like psychologists, can diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health concerns and disorders. Psychiatrists, however, are medical doctors with advanced training to provide medicinal treatment options for these issues. A psychiatrist must go through four years of medical school, graduate with a medical degree (MD) or Ph.D., and complete several thousand hours of clinical training before being able to practice privately. This training is performed during a four-year residency in a hospital or clinical setting, working directly with patients. The main difference between psychologists and psychiatrists lies in education requirements and the treatment options either practice is authorized to use. Psychiatry generally focuses on mental illnesses such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder. To this end, they can prescribe medication to patients managing mental health problems.
Psychologists, on the other hand, work more on thought patterns and behavioral issues, employing psychotherapy (aka “talk therapy) to collaborate with patients on identifying and treating their concerns.
Finding the right provider for you
Psychiatrists and psychologists often treat overlapping concerns and conditions. These providers can help you manage depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. While psychologists and psychiatrists work to diagnose and improve concerns related to mental health issues, they differ in their treatment options.
You might see a psychologist for:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Stress management
- Trauma counseling
- Relationship issues
- Grief and loss
- Anger management
- Low self-esteem
- Phobias and fears
- Eating disorders
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Adjustment to life changes
- Parenting challenges
- Sleep disturbances
- Work-related stress
- Academic or school-related difficulties
- Behavioral problems in children or adolescents
- Cognitive or memory problems
- LGBTQ+ identity counseling and support
- Personal growth and self-improvement
- Career counseling and guidance
You might see a psychiatrist for:
- Mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder)
- Anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder)
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Trauma-related disorders (e.g., PTSD)
- Substance use disorders or addiction
- Eating disorders (e.g., anorexia, bulimia)
- Sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia, sleep apnea)
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors
- Severe stress
- Cognitive disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, dementia)
- Psychotherapy or talk therapy in conjunction with medication management
- Co-occurring mental health and medical conditions
- Psychiatric evaluation for legal or employment purposes
- Psychiatric support during pregnancy and the postpartum period
- Persistent or treatment-resistant mental health symptoms
These are not exhaustive lists of every concern addressed by these practices, though they are among the most common reasons for seeking mental health treatment.
Ultimately, an appointment with a psychologist is a great place to start if you are looking for general therapy for behavior or thought patterns. If you are experiencing the symptoms of a mental illness or have been diagnosed with one, you should see a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists rarely perform psychotherapy with patients, but they work with individuals one-on-one to craft medicinal and therapeutic treatment plans that can help reduce symptoms. However, seeing a psychiatrist doesn’t necessarily preclude you from working with a psychologist. Psychiatrists often work closely with psychologists to provide holistic treatment incorporating medicine to restore specific imbalances underlying many mental illnesses.
Prioritizing mental health care is essential for overall well-being, both mentally and physically. Engaging in psychotherapy enables you to recognize, evaluate, and tackle the behavioral routines, cognitive patterns, and interpersonal interactions that shape your daily life. These sessions also serve as a valuable resource for individuals grappling with mental disorders, aiding them in the management of symptoms and fostering collaboration with a licensed practitioner to formulate an effective treatment strategy. Ready to talk to a provider today? Book an online mental health consult on Sesame to discuss your concerns and ask any questions you may have.
